Insta
United States Successfully Tests Nuclear-Capable Hypersonic Missile Prototype
Swarajya Staff
Mar 21, 2020, 11:54 AM | Updated 11:54 AM IST
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
In a major development, the United States (US) announced on Friday (20 March) that it has successfully tested an unarmed prototype of a hypersonic missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads, reports Economic Times.
Pentagon revealed that the test glide vehicle flew at five times the speed of sound, or Mach 5, to hit the designated impact point. It also said that delivering hypersonic weapons is one of the highest technical research and engineering priorities for the Department of Defence.
It should be noted that the US has already made public its goal to have a deploy-able hypersonic missile capability by 2023. In this pursuit, the US' Department of Defence had demanded $2.6 billion in the ongoing fiscal, while also having requested for a higher allocation of $3.2 billion in the next fiscal.
Hypersonic missile can traverse much faster than nuclear-capable ballistic, cruise and other conventional missiles. These can also change the direction whilst in flight, making them tougher to track and interpret.
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
Introducing ElectionsHQ + 50 Ground Reports Project
The 2024 elections might seem easy to guess, but there are some important questions that shouldn't be missed.
Do freebies still sway voters? Do people prioritise infrastructure when voting? How will Punjab vote?
The answers to these questions provide great insights into where we, as a country, are headed in the years to come.
Swarajya is starting a project with an aim to do 50 solid ground stories and a smart commentary service on WhatsApp, a one-of-a-kind. We'd love your support during this election season.
Click below to contribute.